The epidemiology of
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) varies with age at clinical onset. In developing
countries, the disorder appears predominantly during childhood and its incidence
decreases with age, while in industrialized
countries, the incidence rate increase with age. There has long been a
view that the differences in descriptive epidemiology of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
around the world, and also between children, young adults and older adults may
reflect differences in etiology between them. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma has long been
suspected to have an infectious precursor, and indirect evidence has implicated
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), as a causal agent. The etiology of EBV-negative cases remains obscure. Epidemiological
investigation of the etiology of Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma is making steady progress, and it leads to a better
understanding and hence prevention. This review considers in detail the descriptive
and the etiological epidemiology of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.